Get Down With Your BAD self

Now here are a group of professionals who seem to know how to throw a wailin' sub-commitee. Seriously, check out this "recently updated website" which would have been state of the art in 1997. So, you can also consider a stroll and scroll over there to be period research as well. Good times.

Paramount is Paradise

"Experience an unpredictable sense of excitement and wonder with the best of New
York right in your lobby"

"The Paramount Hotel Times Square is considered one of the most fashionable Midtown Manhattan boutique hotels in New York City. Centrally located in the heart of bustling Times Square, The Paramount Hotel is a stylish hotel designed by Philippe Stark. The Paramount Hotel Times Square offers rooms and New York hotel suites in a variety of arrangements and sizes to fit any New York City visitor’s needs. Most of the Paramount Hotel’s 597 guestrooms in New York City are adorned with the most modern, pop nuevo furnishings, bold prints and striking wall art. High-thread-count Egyptian cotton sheets and down-filled pillows and comforters are standard amenities."

http://www.nycparamount.com/

(the website does not mention if the staff is as full service at Larry was lead to believe)

Messerschmitt!

The Messerschmitt is a reference to WWII German planes - the Luftwaffe's finest flying machines. This video gives a sense of what they sound like.

Scar Tissue

Larry raises the possibility (likelihood) that Alice's scar is self-inflicted. Here is a very useful article on the topic, written from a UK doctor's perspective. Emedicine has another description that is less technical, and also informative

Shopping MoMA

New York, New York. Make it here, you'll make it anywhere. And Anna's made it here. The acid test would be inclusion at this museum shop. The Museum of Modern Art is a playground for contemporary work. Take some time to look around

Magic Carpet Ride

Voila! The Infamous CARPET OF HEATHROW!!! Cower before its hideous random splatter! Though to get the full effect you need to be in a narrow hall with low ceiling struggling with a broken wheely bag sleep-deprived and dehydrated. Here's a chap who's preparing a coffee table book on the subject. Enjoy!

Newton's Cradle set to Queen's "Hammer to Fall"

Alice's Car Accident

View Larger Map

If the above map is buggy, follow this link to the location of Alice's car crash

Hidden River

Above is an image of the place where the buried River Fleet joins the Thames underneath Blackfriars Bridge. The Fleet still runs beneath London, springing from the ponds at Hampstead Heath and traveling through viaducts down to the Thames. This is every bit as cool as it sounds.

Understandably, a topic this interesting has a lot of great information online. Here is a map of the river route. London blogger london geezer wrote a comprehensive piece detailing history and the present day street life above the river. Sub Urban, a blog devoted to exploration of underground urban life has some fascinating accounts of the buried river.

The Wikipedia entry is comparatively dry, but does fill in a few blanks of historical import. But much more fun are the Flickr slideshows of the world above - the visuals give a nice sense of the space above. Featured: Clerkenwell (which includes Smithfield), Lower Fleet (including Holborne Viaduct and Blackfriars Bridge) The NE Section, The NW Section, St.P and KX (including King's Cross Station and the British Library)

Clearly I find this too exciting, so I'll post more on the Fleet, time permitting

On Blackfriars Bridge

Blackfriars bridge is one of the most iconic bridges that span the Thames. The red and white paint is distinct, and the bridge offers terrific views of both the City and the Southbank, as well as St. Paul's cathedral.

Wikipedia offers a simple background, and explore-london offers a fantastic panoramic view as if one is standing on the bridge itself. Very useful.

Museum Piece

Check out the Museum of London site - this is a twofer, information on London AND a location for a scene. Pop over and have a look, especially the 20th Century section. Lots to see and consider.

It's All Happening At The Zoo (London Zoo Aquarium)

The London Zoo Aquarium is where the word "Aquarium" was invented! The official site offers clear background into the institution, and has an engaging video on the programs offered.



Want to see more? ZSL has a great YouTube Channel

The Beauty of Ugliness

Sorry Anna, derelict buildings have been DONE, darling.

This is a fantastic photo site to see the darker and decaying side of London. Must see!!

A Real Meat Market - Smithfield

Care to visit the oldest meat market in London? Smithfield has a fine tradition of livestock slaughter and butchering stretching back well over 800 years. There is no record of a pig escaping, mind you. Of course, that's not the sort of thing they're likely to admit to, is it?

Our friend Wikipedia provides a solid general background on the site.

This Flickr slideshow give a great visual introduction to both the place and the neighbourhood.

This portfolio site has some engaging portraits of the workers.

There is a vibrant club scene in the environs as well, and was throughout the 90s.

In Hospital

The closest hospital to Postman's Park is St. Bartholomew's, the oldest hospital in Britain, known locally as Barts. It's an NHS hospital (National Health Service) which means it is a publicly funded institution - no sellouts here.

Like most publicly funded health care systems, the NHS caused and causes controversy. This BBC archive provides a background on the development of public health care in the UK. Here are some current headlines to give a contemporary snapshot.

Private care is also a reality. This site is a marvelous portal into that world, Dr. Larry....

Postman's Park Always Rings Twice

Here are some more sites with background info and photos of Postman's Park

The Flickr Group Pool

loads of travel snaps and "Look, it's me and my buddy in front of the thing from that movie with Natalie Portman" pictures

The All-Knowing Wikipedia

Urban75
interesting little local tourism site

Victorian Web

engaging background on Watts and the background of the park itself

Tablet Slideshow

see several of the amazing pottery plaques

Visit Beautiful Bournemouth

or you can retire there, wear a cardigan and hang out on the beach with your one true love...right.

At any rate, check out the Florida of the UK...

Via Google Maps

Through Wikipedia - who claims Bournemouth to be the happiest place in the UK. Have to admit, it does sound nice.

And of course, for an unbiased view (ahem) we can always count on Bournemouth Tourism

Karsh

There are many sites out there full of Karsh's photographs. This one has a good background from Archives Canada.

His official estate website is also fascinating, with excellently browsable photos and some interesting video clips

Currently there's an exhibition of some of his works at the McMichael that looks fascinating, would be worth a gander.

Some Sillyness with a Newton's Cradle

Man Ray Film The Return to Reason